Environmental Issues Grow Worse than Ever Before

With the wildfires currently raging in California, the powerful hurricanes hitting the east coast, and the destructive snow storms occurring across the north, more and more of America’s population are beginning to feel the effects of climate change.

The current warming of the earth is occurring more rapidly than ever before. Over this past century, the Earth’s average temperature has gone up 1.4 degrees. This is due to humans’ mass production of fossil fuels, carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gases that are released into and trapped within the Earth’s atmosphere.

AUnited Nations report issued in early October highlights the severe effects of the warming planet. Written by scientists and released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the report predicts the Earth will warm by as much as2.7 degrees by 2040. This, however, is if the greenhouse gas emission continues at the current rate.

“Unfortunately, I’m not surprised,” says Sophia Camacho (‘21), “An increased amount of natural disasters are occurring in the world already. 2040 isn’t that far away. It’s upsetting that in a big part of our lifetime we’re going to have to see our environment crumbling around us.”

Many students have also expressed fear of President Donald Trump’s position on climate change.

“I think climate change is a pretty terrifying thing especially living in Florida where it could potentially really hurt us. That’s why I think this recent election was so shocking considering the party who won is one that doesn’t believe in climate change,” says Sam Cuttle (‘20).

Rick Scott's disregard for climate change has won him support from big fossil fuel companies—to the tune of $880,000. https://t.co/wbT7zI2FXq

“I don’t think talking about climate change would harm anyone but these large corporations that run everything, which is why the Trump administration or government officials don’t want to say anything. Hopefully they realize it’s about more than losing money but actually saving the planet,” says Cuttle.

“I think that the current administration’s withdrawal from internationally-agreed upon efforts to reduce pollution and carbon emissions is dangerous and will have immediate impacts on our ability to maintain our current lifestyle. Though regulating corporations to ensure sustainability isn’t necessarily good for economic production, neither will be increased natural disasters, global warming, or rising water levels,” says Greta Dieck (‘19).

In the East, it could be the COLDEST New Year’s Eve on record. Perhaps we could use a little bit of that good old Global Warming that our Country, but not other countries, was going to pay TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS to protect against. Bundle up!

The UN climate report also depicts the consequences of the 2.7 degree rise. Some issues include worsening food shortages, intense wildfires, and a mass die-off of coral reefs.

“If we were to protect our environment by doing simple things such as lowing our carbon emissions, we would save lives and improve the public’s overall health. Not only that, but we can also attain economic growth by using and developing more efficient forms of energy,” says Sofia Tweed (‘20).

“I think that this report is extremely comprehensive with quotes from scientists confirming that it is possible to eliminate the CO2 output. However, it’s lacking information from engineers or anybody who is actually tackling this head on,” says Audrey Gabbard (’19)

Scared by that new report on climate change? Here's what you can do to help:

• Eat less meat (about 30%)

• Swap your car or plane ride for a bus or train

• Use a smart thermostat in your home, and upgrade to more efficient appliances

In response to the report, many in the Academy community are attempting to develop environmentally friendly habits.

“I do what I can to help the environment. I drink out of a reusable water bottle, I recycle whenever I can, and I dispose of waste property. I believe it’s really important to protect the environment. We need to save our wildlife. When I have kids, I don’t want them to grow up in a world where millions of species don’t exist. We take it all for granted,” says Reneé Rinderle.

Academy graduates are also attempting to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

“When I go to the beach and see trash in the sand, I always pick it up and throw it away. I think it’s important to do that because, besides making the beach look bad, animals can eat it, and it could kill them. Also, it’s not good for it to get in the water. It’s nothing super major, but it’s my little part,” says alumni Lauren Pieper (‘18).

What can you do right now to help the environment? Take the quiz below

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